Why ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Will Be Franchise’s ‘Most Serialized’ Version

There’s been a lot of mystery surrounding “Star Trek: Discovery” and how it’ll fit into the pre-existing “Star Trek” universe and relate to the other installments. Executive producers have now clarified that it’ll be less like the original series — and more like later iterations.

Executive producer Akiva Goldsman told reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour on Tuesday how unique the show will be in the “Star Trek” franchise. He first that it would be the first serialized version of “Star Trek” — to the immediate disagreement from the audience — but then rephrased.

“It’s the most serialized version of ‘Star Trek’ that’s ever existed,” he said.

Yes, even more than “Deep Space Nine,” which is best known for being a serialized version of the franchise’s formula, “even in its last two seasons,” Goldsman added.

So what will the show cover? “Discovery” takes place in a time of war, leading up to the relative Utopia that fans experienced in the original series.

“We’re trying to find out who we are as a Federation and as a coalition of peoples in the face of adversity,” he continued. “So it’s entirely the outcome goal of the show to arrive at the Utopian principles that I think are endemic to ‘Star Trek.'”

The producers emphasized that the show is a character drama. The series, for example, follows Sonequa Martin-Green, who plays Michael Burnham. Martin-Green said at TCA that the main question of her character’s arc is how she’ll relate to her semi-adoptive father (played by Jason Isaacs) and that relationship, along with how she, as part of the Federation, will relate to those on the opposite side of the war.

The show, she said is “asking those deeply profound questions of ‘who am I and who are you and how do I relate to you?'”

“While we are in a more Utopian society in ‘Star Trek’ and that has always been the case in our iteration, there’s the conflict,” she continued. “There’s the inner conflict, there’s the collective conflict”

This goes into the war with the Klingons. According to Mary Chieffo, who plays the Klingon L’Rell, the writers have taken care to show both sides of the conflict.

“Really beautiful to read the script and see these parallel stories going on and see the conflicts arise,” she said.

In the end, the serialization of the “Discovery” is about, according to Isaacs, starting a conversation. As he said, the credits are only the beginning.

“You can start the discussion in your family about who we are on the screen,” he explained.

The five broadcast networks unveiled their new shows for the 2017-18 season this week, and as always, some looked better than others. TheWrap's TV Team has picked the 13 show's we're most excited to see, based on what we know about them so far.

"LA to Vegas" (Fox)We're all about to find out just how funny Dylan McDermott -- who apparently can can grow a killer mustache -- can be. His captain's jokes from the series' trailer are top-notch in their purposefully hacky delivery -- let's see if the rest of the crew can keep up. "LA to Vegas" hails from Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, so we know pedigree won't be the problem. Insert your own joke about substituting Dermot Mulroney for Season 2 and not missing a beat. -- Tony Maglio

Fox

"The Orville" (Fox)Look, it's Seth MacFarlane and Norm MacDonald in a space odyssey -- how bad could it be? Famous last words, we know -- but this certainly has more potential than "Dads" did. The trailer for "The Orville" has some solid laughs, including a pretty simple one about shot-framing -- let's hope this turns out to be more "Ted" than "A Million Ways to Die in the West." -- Tony Maglio

Fox

"The Crossing" (ABC)It's from the creators of "Lost" and they certainly want you to think that's what you're getting: a paranormal mystery, a lot of secrets, and people talking in vague terms about a future war. What could this all mean? Will each episode end in a cliffhanger? Do they have an end game? Hopefully we've learned a lot since "Lost," and since that might be the case, here's hoping "The Crossing" is what could've been for fans of supernatural intrigue. -- Carli Velocci

ABC

"The Gifted" (Fox)It looks a lot like "Heroes" (and we know how that turned out) but there's still something here. We have Amy Acker -- who's good in just about every role she's ever played -- starring in a show about mutants that looks to expand on the drama we saw hinted at in "Logan." Where are the X-Men or the Brotherhood? What is the status of mutants? Fans can get some answers and maybe learn a thing or two about characters like Blink, who was underused in "Days of Future Past" and Polaris, a character from the comics. -- Carli Velocci

Fox

"Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders" (NBC)It's one of the most bizarre true crime cases. It seems simple -- the story of two brothers who were convicted of killing their parents -- but accusations about child abuse, sexual assault, and manipulation made it tough to discern who all was guilty. Crime afficionados are obsessed with this story for a reason, and to see it dramatized with Edie Falco in a starring role is too juicy to pass up. -- Carli Velocci

NBC

"Rise" (NBC)Based on its premise alone, "Rise" could seem like little more than an earnest take on "Glee," but with "Friday Night Lights'" Jason Katims at the helm, the high school-set series promises gut-wrenching emotion and human drama. And the trailer NBC previewed at its upfront presentation confirmed that "Moana" breakout Auli'i Cravalho is destined to be a star, bringing the same charisma she displayed in her show-stopping performance at this year's Oscars. -- Reid Nakamura

NBC

"The Mayor" (ABC)ABC's rapper-turned-mayor comedy was one of the most pleasant surprises in the network's line-up, with the trailer serving up more than a few good laughs (though disappointingly little music for a show about a rapper). Brandon Micheal Hall is a charming lead and he's surrounded by a more than capable cast, including "Community" vet Yvette Nicole Brown and "Glee" star Lea Michele. -- Reid Nakamura

ABC

"Star Trek: Discovery" (CBS)Fans have waited for the latest "Star Trek" TV series for nearly two years, through multiple delays and behind-the-scenes changes, but it looks like the show will finally come to CBS and CBS All Access this fall. The effects-heavy trailer indicates the show will be a big swing for the network, a good sign for those fans hoping the show will be able to live up to the spectacle of the movies. -- Reid Nakamura

CBS

"Me, Myself & I" (CBS)Bobby Moynihan gets a chance to shine away from "Saturday Night Live" with the new time-hopping single-camera sitcom from Dan Kopelman ("Rules of Engagement"). The trailer's heartwarming tone and unlucky-in-love protagonist with a dorky job calls to mind another mixed-chronology CBS comedy, "How I Met Your Mother." Will this new show manage to replicate the charms of "HIMYM"? Wait for it … -- Ryan Gajewski

CBS

"The Resident" (Fox)Doctor shows are a dime a dozen, and we probably don't need another one about a handsome young hotshot who plays by his own rules, but a certain operating room scene won me over. They're covering up a murder! -- Linda Ge

Fox

"Black Lightning" (The CW)It's kind of a bummer The CW's newest DC superhero drama won't be part of the Arrowverse, but the tale of Jefferson Pierce looks plenty intriguing enough on its own. The best part: His daughter appears to start to manifest superpowers as well, making this family affair something we've never seen before. -- Linda Ge

The CW

"Dynasty" (The CW)Everything seemed like a normal soapy drama for the first 75 percent of this show's trailer, and then the lead character bit the head off of a wedding cake topper. Oh yeah, now we have a show. I really hope all this footage is from the pilot and the series just goes even further into crazytown from here. -- Linda Ge

The CW

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The broadcast shows include two superhero dramas, a rapper-mayor comedy, a new “Star Trek” series and a “Star Trek” parody

The five broadcast networks unveiled their new shows for the 2017-18 season this week, and as always, some looked better than others. TheWrap's TV Team has picked the 13 show's we're most excited to see, based on what we know about them so far.